DES MOINES, Iowa -- Iowa became the first state Friday to make it a crime
to surreptitiously get into a farming operation to record video of animal
abuse.

Republican Gov. Terry Branstad signed the law despite protests, letters
and campaigns launched on Twitter and Facebook by animal welfare groups that
have used secretly taped videos to sway public opinion against what they
consider cruel practices.

But Branstad's action wasn't a surprise. Iowa is the nation's leading
pork and egg producer, and the governor has strong ties to the state's
agricultural industry. He signed the measure in a private ceremony and
issued no statement about his decision.

Legislatures in seven other states -- Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota,
Missouri, Nebraska, New York and Utah -- have considered laws that would
enhance penalties against those who secretly record video of livestock,
though the efforts have stalled in some states.